LILONGWE-(MaraviPost)-The Maravi Post, one of the fastest online, magazine news website is appealing to Burundi government to acquit four Burundian journalists who are facing the possibility of extremely long jail sentences, perhaps even life imprisonment.
The Maravi Post joins Reporters Without Borders (RSF) to free these journalists, who work for Iwacu, one of the few independent media outlets still operating in Burundi.
On 30 December, 2019 the prosecution requested 15-year jail terms for the four journalists – Christine Kamikazi, Agnès Ndirubusa, Térence Mpozenzi and Egide Harerimana. This would be one of the harshest sentences to be passed on journalists in the region in recent years. The court gave itself a month to reach a verdict, so RSF has only a few days left to put pressure on the Burundian authorities to acquit them.
The reporters were arrested for “complicity in a violation of state security” on 22 October when they tried to cover a surprise incursion into Burundi by a group of Burundian rebels based in the east of the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo who are opposed to President Pierre Nkurunziza’s regime.
But, despite a close examination of the journalists’ mobile phones, the authorities found no trace of any communication with the rebel group.
So, join us along side RSF to press for their acquittal.
Below is the full plea for all media houses, developmental partners to join the campaign:
Dear media,
RSF has launched a campaign for the release of four journalists from Iwacu, who are currently facing life imprisonment. Help us save these four journalists who work for one of the few independent media outlets still operating in Burundi by signing the petition HERE and by sharing it with your contacts.
There are just days left to press for the acquittal of four Burundian journalists who are facing the possibility of extremely long jail sentences, perhaps even life imprisonment. Help Reporters Without Borders (RSF) to free these journalists, who work for Iwacu, one of the few independent media outlets still operating in Burundi.
On 30 December, the prosecution requested 15-year jail terms for the four journalists – Christine Kamikazi, Agnès Ndirubusa, Térence Mpozenzi and Egide Harerimana. This would be one of the harshest sentences to be passed on journalists in the region in recent years. The court gave itself a month to reach a verdict, so RSF has only a few days left to put pressure on the Burundian authorities to acquit them.
The reporters were arrested for “complicity in a violation of state security” on 22 October when they tried to cover a surprise incursion into Burundi by a group of Burundian rebels based in the east of the neighbouring Democratic Republic of Congo who are opposed to President Pierre Nkurunziza’s regime. But, despite a close examination of the journalists’ mobile phones, the authorities found no trace of any communication with the rebel group.
Thank you for your help,
Best regards,
Arnaud and Hanane
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REPORTERS SANS FRONTIÈRES / REPORTERS WITHOUT BORDERS (RSF)
Hanane Khier – Assistante du Bureau Afrique / Africa Desk assistant
Email : afrique2@rsf.org
+33 1 44 83 84 76
CS 90247 75083 Paris Cedex 02
